Every August, before budget discussions begin in earnest for the following fiscal year, City staff present a Capital Improvements Plan to the City Council. The plan identifies high-priority infrastructure projects, and vehicle and facility needs, security has been beefed up; and the number of cars parked in the park has been reduced. Mr. Carvin thanked Mayor Doug French for channeling the input of Rye residents and praised the help of the City Finance Committee in the creation of a more detailed budget.

Every August, before budget discussions begin in earnest for the following fiscal year, City staff present a Capital Improvements Plan to the City Council. The plan identifies high-priority infrastructure projects, and vehicle and facility needs, security has been beefed up; and the number of cars parked in the park has been reduced. Mr. Carvin thanked Mayor Doug French for channeling the input of Rye residents and praised the help of the City Finance Committee in the creation of a more detailed budget.

 

While Rye Town Park will lose money again this year — estimates of $150,000 to $200,000 have been reported — resident attendance is up 100% in 2011.

On the drawing board are: automated parking in place of the current cash system, which historically has been an uneven collection success; transformation of the park into a year-round, rather than seasonal, destination; and funding for infrastructure repairs. Mr. Carvin said an estimated $14 million is needed. Rye’s share of that amount would be $5.75 million over five years.

 

The Council thanked Mr. Carvin for taking the time to come and inform the public. It was the first appearance by a Rye Town Supervisor at a Rye City Council meeting in memory.

 

After the presentation Councilman Joe Sack, who sits on the Rye Town Park Commission along with Mayor French, said to Mr. Carvin, “Why did Rye ever secede in 1942?  You’ve made me nostalgic, and I think you’ve done many praiseworthy things. As we look toward the future we need to look at what we can do better.” He added, “One of my frustrations is our inability to get going with automated parking.”

 

Citing his experience running a theme park many years ago, Councilman Peter Jovanovich said, “Automation systems don’t get done by consensus. Decisions like this should be made top down.”

 

Councilwoman Paula Gamache allowed that the trend line is positive but said she’d like to see more Rye representation on the Commission. Mayor French added that he’d spoken to Assemblyman George Latimer, who agreed the Commission would be better balanced with three, not the current two City representatives.